Spaces: Ken and Cindi Hack

Published 12:05 pm, Friday, May 10, 2013

The green walls in Ken and Cindi Hack's loft were unplanned, but now much appreciated. The couple moved from Medina Lake to downtown.

The green walls in Ken and Cindi Hack's loft were unplanned, but now much appreciated. The couple moved from Medina Lake to downtown.

Photo: Photos By Tom Reel / San Antonio Express-News

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A balcony offers quiet time, something often lost during the Hacks' previous lives as commuters from Medina Lake.

A balcony offers quiet time, something often lost during the Hacks' previous lives as commuters from Medina Lake.

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A commercial-style island is used as a dining table.

A commercial-style island is used as a dining table.

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Like many lofts, the Hacks' space reflects industrial beginnings.

Like many lofts, the Hacks' space reflects industrial beginnings.

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The exposed brick wall in the living room is at home with the contemporary furnishings the Hacks bought.

The exposed brick wall in the living room is at home with the contemporary furnishings the Hacks bought.

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The Hacks combined two units when they moved to the South End Lofts.

The Hacks combined two units when they moved to the South End Lofts.

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The Hacks like art and buy pieces in the neighborhood.

The Hacks like art and buy pieces in the neighborhood.

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the apartment downtown of Ken Hack on May 7, 2013.

the apartment downtown of Ken Hack on May 7, 2013.

Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News

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the apartment downtown of Ken Hack on May 7, 2013.

the apartment downtown of Ken Hack on May 7, 2013.

Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News

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the apartment downtown of Ken Hack on May 7, 2013.

the apartment downtown of Ken Hack on May 7, 2013.

Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News

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the apartment downtown of Ken Hack on May 7, 2013.

the apartment downtown of Ken Hack on May 7, 2013.

Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News

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the apartment downtown of Ken Hack on May 7, 2013.

the apartment downtown of Ken Hack on May 7, 2013.

Photo: For The San Antonio Express-News

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Spaces: Ken and Cindi Hack

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She said, “Let's move to the city.”

He said, “We have the perfect lake house in the Hill Country. We would have to sell our boat.”

She sold the boat.

He said, “We would have to sell our house.”

She sold the house in three months, despite a market that was starting to crater.

Fast-forward through some marital counseling, selling all their furniture on Craigslist and some condo hopping, and Ken Hack says moving to their downtown loft was the “best thing that happened” to him and his wife, Cindi.

Turns out his wife of 14 years was right in many ways.

“Life is simpler,” he says. “When you have a house that's 3,200 square feet and five acres of land, you become almost a prisoner to it. Now we have 1,650 square feet. It's clean, and it's practical. There's no wasted space.”

He also adds up the savings in time and money. Their daily commutes from Medina Lake to their jobs in San Antonio averaged about 100 miles each, racking up a monthly fuel bill of about $1,200. Their electric bill has dropped from about $450 a month to, on average, $65. Add lower costs for cable and insurance, and they are saving about $2,100 a month.

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“Not to mention three hours a day we save on the road,” he says, adding that gaining time together has been the most favorable benefit for him.

In their four years living downtown, the Hacks have lived at the Blue Star Art Complex, Judson Candy Lofts and the Vidorra. But when two adjacent units became available at South End Lofts, the Hacks jumped at the opportunity to combine the units into one space.

They moved into their new “double-wide” in September. The work was completed while they vacationed in Spain, and they returned home to some surprises.

For example, walls in the master bedroom and bathroom that were supposed to be charcoal gray were bright lime green. Unwilling to be displaced for repainting, they opted to live with the shade Ken first called “baby puke green.” “We love it now,” he says.

The space bears industrial characteristics common to urban lofts: concrete floors and ceilings, exposed brick and air ducts snaking across ceilings. It's customized with touches such as a church door from Spain that's mounted on a rail and slides to divide the spaces. A Mediterranean scene shows through the small window in the door.

Living in half the space has been an adjustment, Ken says.

“You get practical with your space,” he says, citing wardrobes from Ikea that store their clothes and making use of storage space under the bed. In the kitchen, a commercial-style island doubles as a dining table with pots and pans stashed underneath.

Being downtown gives the Hacks easy access to art galleries for purchasing local art and décor. One of their recent acquisitions is a Día de los Muertos skeleton bride and groom they found at the new SoFlo Market across the street.

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House rules

Take risks: A change of pace can be welcoming, even if just for a time, regardless of your stage in life. Look at opportunities and living spaces elsewhere, maybe even those outside your comfort zone. You might be surprised on what you find and grow to like.

Value time: Ken and Cindi spent three hours commuting daily and less time with each other. Cutting their drive time from hours to minutes gives them more quality time together. They're able to do more things they enjoy with the money they save on gasoline.

Be flexible: Selling or renting a home can happen in days or months. The Hacks had planned a vacation when it was time to combine the two condos. Ken, who admits he likes to be in control, had to trust his instincts letting the project manager complete the remodel while they were out of the country.

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The couple also enjoys their proximity to downtown hotspots, where they can be found four or five nights. “As they say, the rest is history,” Ken says. “And we're still married.”